April 2018

Our final morning on the road, and it's a nice clear morning at the Kandanga free rest area. We add a few coins to the donation box, and had a cuppa with the neighbours.

We dropped off the Red Beast after a quick look at the local New Age caravan shop. Had a pickup from Deb's sister Maxine who drove us out to lunch.

and then tea/coffee at The Silva Spoon.

Neil +Maxine drove us to Brisbane to have a shopping fix prior to the drop + run at the Brisbane airport. Some bargain shopping was had + yes we made sure it fitted into the suitcases.

We met up with Irene & Andrew at the airport whilst in the Qantas lounge. It was great to catch up.

Special thanks to all the family that have looked after us whilst we were in Queensland.

Here are a couple of bonus pictures from our flight home to Perth last night. We arrived home safely at home in Busselton.

After a look around town in Childers we found the local library for Ian.

We then purchased a lovely fresh Lamington to have for morning tea with our coffee back at our campsite, the Childers Crescent St. 20 hour rest area.

We set off heading to Kandanga free camping rest area and along the way stumbled, as you do, upon the Tiaro Library.

We passed through Gympie and had to take a stroll along the shopping strip. As we turned a corner we found a Sushi train restaurant, something Deborah has always wanted to try.

Who did we run into at Kandanga at the camping area? Mum & Dad ofcourse.

Mum just had to show Ian the Library at Kandanga.

But in the end it was all about Mary (Verhoeven).

We bid farewell to Cania Gorge, a spot that was very special indeed. You know when you are in a place surrounded in such a variety of wildlife which is picturesque. It leaves such a memorable mark with you. This location was gold. We feel sure our overseas family + friends would love this experience.
The variety of birds, kangaroos laying not 10 metres away from you, and even the tiny Bettongs were so delightful.

Our drive today took us through Monto. We past these murals on the town water tanks that Deborah wanted to share with you.

The scenery on todays adventurous track Mum & Dad sent us on left us feeling totally relaxed. The cows out here are very relaxed in the country as they stroll across the land choosing what to eat next. A T-Bone is looking good about now.

Our excursion took us through 3 separate double gates of properties Deborah opened as Ian drove shot gun (today being Anzac Day and all). We came across this little gem in one of the paddocks.

We came to Boolboonda Tunnel. This tunnel is now home to a colony of Bentwing Bats.


It was used as a rail line from Bunbaberg to Mt Perry delivering passengers + mail from 1884 + it ran 2 services of a day until it was closed in 1960, no longer being viable to run.

Here is the Bentwing Bat.

This track was constructed totally by manual labour, no power tools. The days were long, the labour intensive for each person that worked on this line.

The locomotive.

We made it to Gin Gin in QLD, then proceeded to Lake Paradise (Paradise Dam) then headed to the Childers RV friendly 20 hour rest area +settled in for the night.

Our first morning at Cania Gorge, and it was a misty mountain hop style (anyone remember Led Zeppelin).

Of course it's not just at the 5 o'clock feed time that the birds say hello.


It's not only the birds, but also the kangaroos come freely roaming.

What to do when at a gorge? You go gorge trekking. On with the hat and shoes. But first a spot of lunch at the bottom of the hill in a nice picnic area.

Then off we go.

Which way now, Deborah?

Ok, looks like it's Dragon Cave. Due to the dark dragon like image in the light coloured limestone
Next stop is Bloodwood cave, which has a Bloodwood tree root growing through it.

It's hard work this trekking, but nice views.


The Gorge lookout was the last stop, before the return journey.

We noticed these tree? ferns growing off the rock faces as we went up/down the tracks.

After 2 hours walking through various trails at The Gorge we headed for a lookout to see the Dam which was full of water which has hundreds of thousands of fish. One of our fellow campers went out with his boat and caught a feed for their dinner.

Of course it was 5 o'clock bird feeding again.


Also at nighttime the elusive Bettong can sometimes be spotted. We glimpsed one as it hopped away.

We left our free camping spot at Murgon this morning. Lovely hot showers and flushing toilets. Luxury, and all for the princely price of $10 key deposit, refundable upon departure.

Headed to the Info Centre to get the key refund, but not before 9am. hen We picked up a 2 for 1 coffee at 'The Coffee Bar 4605'. Bargain at $4.50.

Travelling along the highway we found a few citrus selling shops at Gayndah. A quick stop for a bag of Queensland Mandarins for $5, and a chat to the big fella. Bargain.

Next stop for a wee and Mandarin break was at Mundubbera. Nice, 20 hour limit, rest stop with artwork, entrance statement and playground.

Onward to Cania Gorge, but what's a roadtrip without another Library stop. This time at Eidsvold.
What a lucky chap is Ian!

Our eventual night stop is Cania Gorge. We are here for 2 nights.

Ian had a turn on the water slide

The park is well set up for children +families with 3pools, waterslide,kiddy play areas, bouncing pillows, tennis +par 3golf course.

Ian then attracted some of the local bird life at the daily 5pm feeding.